Consultant to Support the Development of a National Disaster Risk Reduction Strategy for Timor-Leste

The consultant will provide technical and coordination support to CPA in convening and guiding a government task team responsible for preparing the strategy and leading inclusive stakeholder engagement. Final Draft National DRR Strategy Document will be the ultimate result of service.

Homebase

1 May 26-31 Dec 27

Created in December 1999, the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR) is the designated focal point in the United Nations system for the coordination of efforts to reduce disasters and to ensure synergies among the disaster reduction activities of the United Nations and regional organizations and activities in both developed and less developed countries. Led by the United Nations Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Disaster Risk Reduction (SRSG/ASG), UNDRR has over 150 staff located in its headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland, and in regional offices. UNDRR guides, monitors, analyses, and reports on progress in the implementation of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030. It supports regional and national implementation of the Framework and catalyzes action and increases global awareness to reduce disaster risk working with UN Member States and a broad range of partners and stakeholders, including civil society, the private sector, parliamentarians and the science and technology community. Timor-Leste faces a complex and evolving disaster risk landscape, characterized by frequent floods, landslides, droughts, cyclones, and earthquakes. Its vulnerability is compounded by socio-economic fragility, rapid urbanization, and the impacts of climate change. Over the past decade, the country has made significant strides in strengthening disaster risk governance, marked notably by the adoption of the Civil Protection Law (2020) and the establishment of the Civil Protection Authority (CPA) in 2022. These institutional reforms represent a shift from reactive response to a more comprehensive, preventive, and multi-hazard approach to disaster risk management (DRM). The Government of Timor-Leste has also undertaken a Midterm Review (MTR) of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015–2030 (Sendai Framework) in 2023, which confirmed important gains in legal and policy frameworks, risk awareness, and emergency preparedness. However, the MTR also identified key gaps: limited integration of DRR into sectoral planning and local governance, weak data systems for hazard, exposure, and vulnerability, and the absence of a unified national DRR Strategy aligned with global frameworks. The need for a strategic, whole-of-society DRR policy was repeatedly underscored as essential to address residual risk and ensure resilient development. Earlier in 2024, CPA with support from IOM, carried out foundational work to outline the process for developing a National DRR Strategy – a roadmap - which serves as the basis for this consultancy. This roadmap, developed in accordance with UNDRR guidelines, outlines a multi-phase, consultative process anchored by the National Civil Protection Council, and led by CPA. It underscores the need for a robust DRR strategy to align disaster governance with the National Strategic Development Plan 2011–2030, the Sendai Framework, and the ASEAN Agreement on Disaster Management and Emergency Response (AADMER). Political commitment, stakeholder engagement, including persons with disabilities and women’s groups, and evidence-based prioritization are key to its success. This consultancy therefore aims to support the CPA in leading the next phase: consolidating vision, priorities, and risk profile into a coherent and inclusive National DRR Strategy. It provides an opportunity to unify fragmented DRR efforts under one strategic umbrella, bridge national and local planning gaps, and institutionalize risk reduction as a cross-cutting priority across development sectors. Duties and Responsibilities Under the overall supervision of the Programme Management Officer at the UNDRR Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific, and in close coordination with the Climate and Disaster-Resilient Development Officer at the United Nations Resident Coordinator’s Office in Timor-Leste, the consultant will provide technical, coordination, and facilitation support to CPA for the development of the National DRR Strategy. The consultant will be homebased and responsible for the following tasks: 1. Technical support to DRR strategy development Support CPA, under the guidance of the DRR Strategy Task Team, in coordinating and leading the preparation of the National DRR Strategy, including consolidating inputs from existing policy documents, the work of the specialist on the profile of disaster risk, and previous preparatory work. The consultant will assist in structuring the strategy in line with national priorities and international frameworks, ensuring coherence, clarity, and strategic focus. 2. Facilitation of government-led coordination processes Facilitate internal discussions and working sessions within CPA and across relevant line ministries and institutions to define the vision, objectives, strategic priorities, and implementation arrangements of the DRR Strategy. This includes supporting CPA in convening and coordinating the government task team and ensuring alignment across sectors. 3. Drafting and refinement of strategy documents Prepare draft versions of the DRR Strategy, including an initial skeleton document and subsequent consolidated drafts, for review by CPA, the DRR Strategy Task Team, and relevant stakeholders. The consultant will revise the drafts based on technical feedback and policy guidance to ensure alignment with national development plans, the Sendai Framework , and relevant regional commitments. 4. Support to inclusive stakeholder engagement and consultation Assist CPA in planning and conducting inclusive stakeholder consultations to gather inputs from government institutions, civil society, development partners, and other relevant stakeholders. Particular attention will be given to ensuring meaningful participation of women, organizations of persons with disabilities, and other at-risk or marginalized groups, in line with national commitments and international good practice. 5. Integration of consultation feedback and finalisation of outputs Systematically compile, analyse, and integrate feedback from consultations and technical reviews, including inputs from the DRR Strategy Task Team and the specialist who will synthesize the country’s disaster risk profile, into revised drafts of the DRR Strategy. The consultant will support CPA in ensuring that stakeholder inputs are appropriately reflected and documented in the final draft. 6. Coordination with external partners Coordinate with non-government external partners including development partners, NGOs/CSOs, the United Nations entities in the country, to ensure coherence between the DRR Strategy and ongoing or planned initiatives related to disaster risk reduction, climate resilience, and sustainable development. This includes coordination, as appropriate, with technical specialists supporting complementary analytical workstreams. 7. Quality assurance and technical consistency Support CPA in ensuring the overall quality, consistency, and readability of the DRR Strategy document, including clarity of roles and responsibilities, logical sequencing of strategic priorities, and consistency in terminology and framing throughout the document. 8. Reporting and communication Provide regular progress updates to CPA and UNDRR, through the DRR Strategy Task Team, flagging any implementation challenges or risks in a timely manner, and participate in coordination meetings as required. Background Documents: - National Midterm Review of the Sendai Framework for DRR (2023) - National Disaster Risk Management Policy 2008 - Draft Strategy and guidance/roadmap produced under the past IOM support - Words into Action: Developing National Disaster Risk Reduction Strategies (UNDRR, 2019)

Advanced university degree (master's degree or equivalent) in disaster risk reduction, natural resources management, public policy, development studies, or related fields is required. A first-level university degree with at least 2 additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of an advanced university degree. Minimum7 years of professional experience in disaster risk reduction, public policy, or development planning is required. Experience in supporting national strategy development or disaster governance processes in countries across Asia and the Pacific is required. Experience facilitating multi-stakeholder consultations, including marginalized and vulnerable groups is desirable.

Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of Tetun and Portuguese is desirable.

Due to the high volume of applications received, only successful candidates will be contacted.

THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.